Likely Named ACC Rookie of the Week

Maryland Athletics

11-18-2013

GREENSBORO, N.C. –Maryland freshman defensive back William Likely has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Rookie of the Week, the league announced on Monday.

The native of Belle Glade, Fla., scored his first career touchdown on Saturday in Maryland’s 27-24 overtime win against Virginia Tech with a 63-yard punt return midway through the second quarter. Likely finished with 106 punt return yards, the fourth-highest total in an ACC game this season.

It was Maryland’s first punt return for a touchdown since Tony Logan returned a punt 84 yards against Duke on Oct. 2, 2010, and marked the Terps’ first special teams touchdown since Stefon Diggs returned a kickoff 99 yards at North Carolina last season (Nov. 24).

Likely is averaging 13.8 yards per punt return, which ranks fourth in the conference and 12th nationally. It is currently the fifth-highest single-season average in school history and would break Maryland’s freshman record held by Orlando Strozier (10.46 ypr, 1993).

Likely finished the game with 179 all-purpose yards and added three tackles and a pass break up. Likely shared the award with North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer.

The Terps play their final home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome Boston College to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kick.